Hard to Stand up After Sitting for Long Hours at Desk

It’s very common among office workers to spend several hours sitting, and it can be particularly problematic since most people might lead a sedentary lifestyle without noticing. It can very easily become part of your routine and most people don't think that "just sitting" might lead to adverse health consequences. Some individuals who tend to sit for prolonged periods might find it hard to stand up after sitting for a few hours for multiple reasons. Some may experience back pain or perhaps leg strain.

If you tend to sit for prolonged hours and have started to notice certain symptoms whenever you try to stand up, such as the ones mentioned above, it's recommended to be informed of the reasons why it might be happening, as well as the potential solutions to that problem. This way, you will be able to prevent your health from worsening in the long run and improve certain aspects of both your personal and professional life.

Effects of Prolonged Sitting

Using an office chair for long hours has tons of negative effects on your body. From increased blood pressure to difficult to stand and walking after sitting to excess body fat from not spending enough energy throughout the day, it’s important to be mindful of the time you spend being seated as it can be harmful in the long term for the following reasons:

• When you sit for prolonged periods, you're burning fewer calories. Since all that energy has nowhere to go, it will turn into fat, and you will be at risk of gaining weight.
• In the same fashion, you might also be at risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also associated with an inactive or sedentary lifestyle.
• Some people also experience trouble standing up after sitting, which can lead to several hours of pain and discomfort.
• Cancers (such as colon or uterine) and heart diseases have also been associated with sitting for too long, not as a direct cause of it, but as a risk factor.

It’s important to be as active as you can within your possibilities. Being seated for too long not only makes you miss out on important moments of your life; you might also be increasing your health risk and the likelihood of passing away sooner than the regular person. Take a look at the calories burned standing vs. sitting and see how much of a difference it is.

Hard to Stand Up Straight After Sitting: Finding a Solution

If you haven’t been very active lately and would like to make a change, it’s important to implement such changes in your routine very gradually. It’s similar to training a muscle – it’ll gain more strength the more time and effort you put into it. Here’s what you can do if you’d like to stop feeling it hard to get up from sitting position and begin leading a healthier lifestyle.

1. Encourage Movements while Seated

Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid being seated for prolonged periods as your job requires you to do so. In these cases, it is recommended to encourage movements while you’re seated. This is called “active sitting”, a different approach to sitting that encourages you to move your body while you’re sitting. You can move your legs, waist or just try to adjust your posture now and then so that you’re not static in the same position for several hours.

Active sitting is highly recommended as the first step towards having a more ‘active’ lifestyle. If being seated is also uncomfortable, maybe you should invest in an ergonomic chair with the appropriate features for those who tend to sit for prolonged hours. You should look for an ergonomic chair for back pain to make things easier for your body, as such seats are equipped with the ergonomic features you need to be comfortable during your work hours.

2. Utilize a Standing Desk

Standing desks have become a very popular alternative to traditional desks in recent years. If you’re not getting enough physical activity throughout the day, alternating between sitting and standing during your work hours might help you burn the calories you’re not using while also ensuring that your body feels less strain from being seated for too long.

A standing desk is designed to improve the ergonomic level of your workspace, allowing you to feel more comfortable and helping you ensure that your body gets enough physical activity throughout the day.

3. Make an Effort at Changing your Lifestyle

Being seated for several hours is not as comfortable as it might seem. After a few minutes of no movement, your body might start feeling a little ‘off,’ and eventually, the situation will become painful. In these cases, it is quite recommended to start making changes in your lifestyle.

If you’re not a very active person, you should try to implement some physical activity in your routine – at least gradually. Even just taking a walk during the mornings and then implementing a small workout routine can do wonders for your health. It’s also recommendable to take breaks for five minutes, for instance, if you think you’ve been seated for too long.

When to See a Doctor?

If you're experiencing lower back pain, it's hard to stand up when you're sitting, and even after trying to be more physically active or making changes in your lifestyle, the problem doesn't get solved, then maybe you should see a physician, as you might be dealing with an underlying condition. Musculoskeletal disorders are quite common among office workers and people who tend to sit for long hours, which is why it is often recommended to have as much movement as you can within your possibilities.

While you can learn things like how to prevent feet swelling while sitting at a desk, some conditions might require professional assistance, especially if the symptoms become too frequent or extremely hard to bear. Be sure to consult with a medical professional if the pain and discomfort are preventing you from being able to work as you typically do.